Folding multimedia display device

ABSTRACT

Various configurations of an electronic display, and devices incorporating the display, are provided. The display may have multiple portions connected along one or more axes, lines, points, or other connecting areas. The portions are movable about the connections. In various configurations, the display portions emulate different media and/or communication and computing devices. Two or more of the display devices may be coupled in an array.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/635,522 filed Mar. 2, 2015 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/964,712 filed Aug. 12, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,970,449 issued on Mar. 3, 2015), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/159,714, filed on Jun. 14, 2011 (now U.S.Pat. No. 8,508,433 issued on Aug. 13, 2013), which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/762,760, filed on Apr. 19, 2010 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,907,864 issued on Dec. 9, 2014), which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/423,175, filed on Jun. 9, 2006(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,782,274 issued on Aug. 24, 2010), each of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to display devices and, moreparticularly, to a flexible multimedia display device, which folds alongmultiple axes.

BACKGROUND

Electronic display screens provide users with the ability to access,display, edit or create text or other displayable information. Foldingdisplay devices are known in the context of laptop computers, personaldata assistants, and other data processing, communication, and mediadevices. These devices may have a portion that moves from a closedposition to an open position to allow a viewer to view the displayscreen. The display screens of some devices, such as some video cameras,may open along a first axis, and then be rotated about a second axis toenhance the positioning of the screen.

Flexible displays are known. One example of such a display includes aflexible and collapsible substrate on which pixels are deposited. Thesubstrate is stored in a housing. When the substrate is extended fromthe housing it becomes rigid.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed toelectronic devices having a display. The display may have multipleportions connected along one or more axes, lines, points, or otherconnecting areas. The portions are movable about the connections. Invarious configurations, the display portions emulate different mediaand/or communication and computing devices.

In one example embodiment an electronic display device is provided. Thedevice includes a plurality of display portions adapted to display anelectronic image. At least two of the portions share, and are movableabout, a first axis.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provide, which includes aprocessor having an electronic output. The apparatus also includes adisplay electronically coupled to the processor to electronicallydisplay information output from the processor. The display has aplurality of display portions adapted to display an electronic image. Atleast two of the portions share, and are movable about, a first axis.

In another example embodiment, an electronic display device is provided.The device includes a first information source and a plurality ofdisplay portions adapted to display an electronic image. At least two ofthe portions share, and are movable about, a first axis. Informationfrom the first information source is displayed on a first display windowcomprising at least one of the display portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and forfurther features and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate side portions of a display device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fully-open plan view of a display device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a display device in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus having a display inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed toelectronic devices having a display. The display may have multipleportions connected along one or more axes. The portions are movableabout the axes. In one example, the display may have two portionsconnected at, and movable about a first axis. The display may also havetwo portions connected, and movable about a second axis. The first andsecond axes may or may not be parallel. In this manner, the multipledisplay portions may be folded about the respective axes from a closedposition to an open position. As more display portions are unfolded toan open position, the overall display achieves different dimensions.Thus, the overall display may emulate differing conventional media(e.g., books, note tablets, personal data assistants, laptop computers,newspapers, and magazines) depending on which display portions arefolded to an open position. In one specific illustrative example, thedisplay may comprise six portions. These six portions may be provided asthree pairs, each pair sharing a signal vertical axis. The first andsecond pairs may be separated by, and share, a first horizontal axis,while the second and third pairs may be separated by, and share, asecond horizontal axis. In one configuration, the first pair is foldedopen with respect to both the vertical axis and the first horizontalaxis, while the third pair (e.g., a bottom pair) remains folded over thesecond (e.g., middle) pair. In this configuration, the first pair ofdisplay portions collectively emulates a conventional laptop displayscreen. In an alternate configuration, all six pairs may be folded to anopen position to create, for example, an overall display comprising arectangle having a height greater than the width. In this configuration,the overall display might be considered to emulate a conventionalnewspaper.

A device incorporating the display may unfold to become any desireddisplay or digital device, and thus may provide an efficient apparatusfor communication, information, and entertainment by accessing contentdependent on the desired configuration. Any number of individual devicesmay be combined into a single unit, which, in addition to replicatingfunctionality, replicates form and feel, and enables the presentation ofinformation in such a way that the information can manipulated orencountered in any number of ways, including randomly, through“thumbing.” By serving as a conduit to functionality, the combineddevices may be used in concert or array, increasing by many orders ofmagnitude the versatility of the technology. Such versatility may beadaptable to consumer, as well as to commercial, uses. The technologyliberates information use to be based on its usefulness, independent ofdevice function.

Thus, a screen may be provided, which is, in one configuration, flat andfolded in sections that can be opened to replicate look and feel ofinformation containers devices of varying sizes. These include, but arenot limited to, hand-held digital devices, mass market paperback books,trade paper back or hard cover books, glossy magazines, tabloidnewspapers, broadsheet newspaper, high definition television, laptop ordesktop computers, cell phones, or any of the other devices discussedherein or falling within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Foldingdisplays include touch screen interfaces that can replicate any knownkeyboard, stylus screen, or touch screen, including screens andinterfaces with the ability to recognize fingertip handwriting. Foldingdisplays include access to hard-wired, wireless, satellite or othernetworks to receive and send media and communications, to receiveprogramming, and to any electronically packaged information accessibleto electronic or electromagnetic devices anywhere on the globe. A seriesof nested configurations is provided with complete digital capability toself recognize and populate the display and functionality of the desireddevice, media, or other displayable information.

Devices incorporating the display technology described herein mayfunction as virtual briefcases and entertainment centers, providing adigital container usable for any application of visual informationdisplay, from text to high-definition imagery. The display screen mayserve as a massively-parallel display device displaying information in aformat dictated by its size. In some embodiments, each time one or moredisplay portions are unfolded along a particular axis or vertex, theprior axis or vertex locks so as to enable to size of the display togrow and to form a continuous screen consistent with the desired displayformat. For example, a user seeking to view emails or prices in ahandheld device format may leave the screen in its minimum surface areaconfiguration, such that a visual display and a functional touchkeyboard display are presented. Unfolding this might create a two-sideddisplay unfolding along a central spine (or axis) in the same manner asa mass market paperback, and could be populated with the cover art andthe internal pages of a mass market paperback. In addition to thedigital capability to identify a starting point or resume at the mostrecent point of closure, a “thumbing” capability would permit pagingthrough the contents much as a physical paper book can be paged through,such that a particular set of words or objects could be recognized andrandomly encountered. Similarly, the paperback book could be unfoldedalong its top or bottom edge, locking the spine of the prior embodimentand presenting a larger page format analogous to a hardcover book orglossy magazine. This configuration may have a similar capability topage through, either digitally or by “thumbing,” so that random contentcan be encountered. Similarly, the top or bottom edge can again beunfolded, to replicate a tabloid newspaper format, and again toreplicate a broadsheet newspaper format, or a widescreen and/orhigh-definition screen (such as a television display), or a white board.

The configurations for joining portions (e.g., vertex, axis, etc) andtheir dimensions may be variable so that an extremely broad array ofdisplay formats may be achieved by folding or unfolding, with anymodifications necessary to achieve customary ratios addressed by foldingthe excess content to the outside to achieve the correct proportionaldimensions. Similarly, display formats having sizes that are notconsistent between two portions may be achieved by folding one portionmore or less than another portion.

As mentioned elsewhere in the disclosure, display portions may be joinedby hinges or other mechanical devices. Alternatively, the portions maybe integrated and formed from a flexible material, such as an elasticmemory plastic or plastic/metal alloy. Flexible spines, for example, maypermit 180-degree folds at numerous locations. A stabilization mechanism(e.g., possibly a mechanically locking mechanism or magnetism) may beincorporated to stabilize the folding display in the desired format orconfiguration. Similarly, electronic processors may deliver informationto and from display locations, analogous to the present day pixel, whilealso transmitting information from each such location based on itsassigned role within the desired format and functionality.

The folding display configurations may have local broadcast capabilityto transmit audio to headsets or to any other audio speakers or audioprocessors, or to any other electronic component capable of receiving anelectronic signal. Secure use may be ensured through use of biometricand/or other secure access technology to control both unauthorized useof the device and to enable access to content and communicationsnetworks.

More than one device can be used in concert to provide larger displayareas while maintaining functionality, including the ability to bemounted on a wall to provide a visual display analogous to a theatricalmovie presentation. In this case as well, authorized use may becontrolled by users and the enabling of access to third-party contentmay similarly be limited to authorized users. Contiguous use ofneighboring devices is not necessarily limited to a single wall, butcould in fact include all walls and the floor and ceiling of a room tocreate complete visual environments.

Different sections of the device may perform different functionssimultaneously, such as providing a text messaging capability on oneside or the bottom, while permitting visual display in another displayportion(s).

The folding screen may be disposable, and made available on asubscription basis, such that the device itself is merely a conduit tofunctionality, which is owned by the users and any chosen service orcontent providers.

While the embodiments discussed herein may refer to electronic displaysassociated with specific example devices, the invention is not limitedto the specific example devices. These are provided for illustrativepurposes only. Also, while certain embodiments refer to a specificnumber of display portions, the teaching of the invention may be appliedto any display having any number of portions. Further, while certainembodiments and figures illustrate display portions as squares orrectangles, the teaching of the invention may be applied to displayportions having alternative geometric shapes.

According one example embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a display 10is provided. Preferably, display 10 is an electronic display fordisplaying electronic information. However, the teachings of variousembodiments may be applied to non-electronic displays. Electronicdisplays may include, without limitation, displays for computers (e.g.,desktop or laptop computers), mobile communication devices, phones,personal data assistants (PDAs), televisions, electronic media device(e.g., electronic books, note tablets, etc.), electronic billboards andother advertising devices, televisions, and video recording and displaydevices. Display 10 is preferably capable of displaying images of anytype of electronic information and in various formats including, withoutlimitation, text, images, video, applications, spreadsheets, etc.Sources for the information displayed on display 10 may include anyavailable electronic source including computer applications, storedinformation, and information transmitted from electronic communicationdevices and systems (such as, for example, the Internet). Forillustrative purposes only, various information that might be displayedinclude graphical user interfaces for computer applications, financialtransaction and trading information, news (including news, weather,sports, etc.), advertisements, literature (e.g., books, magazines,newspapers, periodicals), chat room and instant messaging information,photographs and other images, video (in any electronic format), etc.

Generally, display 10 may have multiple display portions. Selected onesof the display portions may be coupled, joined at, or otherwise share,an axis. The display portions are generally moveable about therespective axes so that the configuration of the overall display (e.g.,a display comprising multiple portions) may be changed. For example, theconfiguration may be changed from a completely open state, to a firstpartially open state, to a second partially open state (with a perimeterthat is geometrically different from the perimeter associated with thefirst open state), to a completely closed state. In the completely openstate, for example, the display portions may be coplanar. In thecompletely closed state, the display portions may be disposed indiscrete, but parallel, planes and may overlap one another. The displayportions may be joined by a joining device, such as a hinge.Alternatively, the display portions may be integral, and the axis ofmovement may simply be a line along the display material about which theportions are moved. This might be the case, for instance, when aflexible screen material is used for the display. The flexibility of thedisplay to conform to different configurations allows, among otherthings, the use of the display to emulate different types of media. Forexample, in one configuration, the display might emulate a laptopcomputer screen. In another configuration, the display might emulate aPDA screen. In still another configuration the display might emulate abook or a newspaper.

The display may be electronically coupled (e.g., wireless, hard-wired,USB connection, etc.) to a data source (e.g., a computer processor, anInternet server, or a data storage device). Information transmitted tothe display may be displayed on one or more of the portions. Forexample, an image corresponding to the data may be displayed on one ofthe display portions, on each of two display portions, or across two (ormore) display portions. Also one source of information might bedisplayed on one or more portions, while a different source ofinformation is displayed on a different one or more display portions.

In certain embodiments, the source(s) and/or types of informationviewable on the display or portions thereof is dependent upon theconfiguration of the display and/or its display portions. Thus, as anexample, if a display having six portions was fully opened and, forexample, emulated a newspaper, then the source of information providedto the display might be the New York Times. However, if the display wasonly partially open so that two of the display portions were viewable,then the source of information might be the graphical user interface ofa PDA software program. The type of information displayed mayautomatically shift from one to another depending on the configurationof the display. Alternatively, the shift may require a user action, suchas the press of a button, or the activation of one or more keystrokes.

As a further example of flexibility, the displayed information may beadaptable to the configuration of the display in other ways. Forinstance, if the display is only partially open such that two of sixdisplay portions are viewable, then an image might be displayed usingthe two portions. In other words the image (photo, text, GUI, etc.)would fill the combined two display portions. Then, if a user completelyopened the display so that all six display portions were viewable, theimage might be automatically enlarged to fill all six display portions.Alternatively, an image might fill only a certain number of the displayportions, even if more of the display portions are open and/or viewable.

Returning to FIG. 1, display 10 is depicted from different side views A,B, C, and D. View A is a rear view. View B is a side view shown from theperspective of arrows B-B in view A. View C is a side view (oppositeview B) shown from the perspective of arrows C-C in view A. And, view Dis a front view (opposite view A). Display 10 comprises six displayportions 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46. While this particular embodimentincorporates six display portions, the invention is not so limited. Anynumber of display portions may be used so long as there are a pluralityof display portions. When display 10 is in a completely closed state,for example, the display portions 41-46 are disposed in discrete,parallel planes. It should also be noted that the depiction in FIG. 1 isan example only and the dimensions and particular configuration ofdisplay 10 are merely examples. For instance, the thickness of variousportions of display 10 may be modified as appropriate or as desired. Ascan be seen the display portions also overlap one another. Although thedisplay portions are shown to substantially overlap one another, so thatviewed from the top they appear to share a perimeter, the invention isnot so limited. The overlap may be partial so that, viewed from the top,a part of one portion may extend outwardly from the perimeter of anotherportion. It should also be noted that the display portions are shownfolded to a closed position such that the display portions areoverlapping, or stacked, in a particular order. The illustrated ordermay be varied, however, depending upon the how the display portions arecoupled to each other. Also, the display portions may be rectangular (asshown in FIG. 2, for example), they may comprise other shapes, such assquares or rectangles. Any shape may be used for the portions as long asthere is a sufficient common edge between at least two of the displayportions so that the two portions may be moved, or folded, about thecommon axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, first portion 41 is coupled with secondportion 42 at axis 14, and with third portion 43 at axis 18. It shouldbe noted that any respective axis may comprise a hinge or othermechanical joining device. Alternatively, an axis may comprise a portionof a flexible display material which serves as a joining line betweenthe two respective portions and about which the two portions may move.Sixth portion 46 is coupled to fifth portion 45 at axis 16, and tofourth portion 44 at axis 20. First portion 41 and sixth portion 46 arecoupled at axis 12. Third portion 43 and fourth portion 44 are coupledat axis 22. Second portion 42 and fifth portion 45 are coupled . Firstportion 41 is coupled to third portion 43 at axis 24. In the case ofhinged axes, it may be helpful to have hinges extending only partiallyalong given axes and have the display portions separated from oneanother near the ends of the axes. This will avoid interference betweenthe ends of two hinges. This may be less of a concern with respect todisplays incorporating a flexible display material. Also, it ispreferable to have gaps, such as gaps 25 and gap 23, to accommodate thespace taken by the joining devices. Thus, the respective displayportions might not have precisely the same dimensions. The size andpositioning of joining devices may be varied to accommodate differentnumbers of display portions, as well as different schemes for thefolding and interleaving of display portions in different positions(such as in the closed position).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a user may first move the setof portions 41, 42, 43 relative to the set of portions 44, 45, 46. Thismay be accomplished by moving the respective sets about axes 12, 22 and24. The user may then move portions 43 and 44 relative to the remainingportions. This movement is about axes 18 and 20. The user may then move44 and 45 relative to the remaining portions by moving portions 44 and45 about axes 14 and 16. Thus, the display portions may be rotated aboutthe respective axes to a fully-open position, such as that shown fordisplay 210 in FIG. 2. In the fully-open position, it may be appreciatedthat at least one of the respective axes is not parallel with at leastone other axis. Thus, there are at least two axes which are angularlyoffset from one another. For example, in the fully-open position axis 18would be perpendicular to axis 22. It can also be appreciated that inthe closed, or partially open, position, two axes which are parallel inthe fully-open position may become angularly offset from one another.For example, in the fully-open position axes 18 and 20 are parallel (andcoincidental), while in a partially open position, axes 18 and 20 areangularly offset. In a fully-closed position, axes 18 and 20 becomeparallel once again, but are no longer coincidental.

It will be appreciated that the movement of portions about axes isdifferent for different display configurations. Depending on theconfiguration, a given display portion may be moveable about the axisfor 360 degrees, or the range of movement may be limited to somethingless than 360 degrees.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a given display portion mayonly display information on one side. That is, a given portion only hasa display screen with pixels on one side. In alternative embodiment,however, a display portion may have a display screen or display pixelson both sides. For example, it may be desirable for first portion 41 tohave display pixels on both sides. Thus, when the display 10 is in thefully open position, a first side of portion 41 (together with the otherportions 42-45) may provide a display screen. In the fully-closedposition however, the first side of portion 41 will not be viewable.Thus, if additional display pixels are provided on a second side (i.e.,the opposing side) of portion 41, they may be viewable when display 10is in the fully-closed position. Therefore, a fully-open display 10might serve as a computer screen, while a fully-closed display 10 mightserve as a PDA screen (via second side of portion 41).

As mentioned, the display screen may incorporate conventional displayscreen materials as are found, for example, in laptop computers.Alternatively, a flexible material may be used. In one embodiment,organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are used. The OLEDs are disposedon a substrate, which, as noted, may be flexible or rigid. Flexiblesubstrates include plastics, foils and other materials. Any suitablematerial may be used that provides the desired rigidity or flexibility.Also, while OLEDs are used to produce the images, in other embodiments,the images may be produced by any suitable display technology dependingupon the desired optical properties. Certain suitable materials fordisplay screens are described in Published U.S. Patent Application No.2003/0144034, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As previously discussed, the display portions 41-46 may be moved toprovide different configurations of display 10. Thus, display 10 mayemulate the display of different types of devices depending upon therelative positions of portions 41-46. Therefore, depending on thedesired configuration, display 10 may emulate any suitable device whichuses or incorporates a display such as, without limitation, computers(e.g., desktop or laptop computers), mobile communication devices,phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), televisions, electronic mediadevice (e.g., electronic books, note tablets, etc.), electronicbillboards and other advertising devices, televisions, and videorecording and display devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fully-opened display 210. As can be seen display210 comprises six display portions 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, and 246.Portion 241 is coupled with portion 243 at axis 220, with portion 242 ataxis 216, and with portion 246 at axis 212. Portion 243 is also coupledwith portion 244 at axis 222. Portion 242 is also coupled with portion245 at axis 224. Portion 246 is also coupled with portion 244 at axis218 and with portion 245 at axis 214.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display 310 incorporating flexible displaymaterials. As can be seen, there are no mechanical joining devices tocouple the respective display portions. Rather, a pair of displayportions is joined at a coupling portion of the flexible material whichprovides a spine, or joining line, such as spine 316. Spine 316 maycomprise a memory line, so that repeated movements of the two respectiveportions about the shared axis always occur about the same spine.

FIGS. 4-10 illustrate various other configurations of multi-portiondisplays. FIG. 4 illustrates a display 410 which may have substantiallythe same overall dimensions as display 210, for example. However,display 10 comprises only three portions coupled at two axes. First andsecond portions 411, 412 are coupled at axis 414. Second and thirdportions 412, 413 are coupled at axis 415.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display 420 having five portions coupled at twoaxes. Third portion 423 is coupled to both first and second portions421, 422 at first axis 427. Third portion 423 is also coupled to bothfourth and fifth portions 424, 425 at second axis 428. Line 426represents separation between first and second portions 421, 422. Line424 represents separation between fourth and fifth portions 424, 425.Thus, for example, first and second portions 421, 422 are both moveableabout axis 427. However, the movement of first portion 421 isindependent of the movement of second portion 422. Fourth and fifthportions 424, 425 are similar with respect to independence of movement.First and second axes 427, 428 are parallel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a display 430 having four display portions coupled attwo axes and a connection joint. First and second portions 431, 432 arecoupled at axis 439. First and second portions 431, 432 are coupled withthird portion 433 at connection joint 435. Third and fourth portions433, 434 are coupled at axis 438. Line 436 represents separation betweenfirst and third portions 431, 433. Line 437 represents separationbetween second portion 432 and third portion 433. It is preferable thatjoint or intersection 435 is a universal joint, or other connectionsuitable for interconnecting first, second, and third portions 431, 432,and 433 while allowing certain movement of the respect portions. Forinstance, first and second portions 431, 432 are moveable about axis 439and are also movable about an axis defined by one or both of separationlines 436 and 437.

FIG. 7 illustrates a display 450 in a partially open state. Display 450may be configured similarly to display 420, for example. Respectivedisplay portions that would otherwise occupy spaces 451, and 452 arefolded about their respective coupling axes so that the illustrateddisplay surface results.

FIG. 8 illustrates a display 460 having 4 display portions moveableabout two four axes. Each of the four portions is moveable about twodifferent axes, which are perpendicular in the open state.

FIG. 9 illustrates a display 470 having three portions moveable aboutone axis 471. Two portions are separated by a separation line 472 orboundary, such that all three portions are independently moveable aboutaxis 471.

FIG. 10 illustrates a display 480 having four portions coupled at threeaxes. Two portions are coupled at axis 481. Two other portions arecoupled at axis 482. Two portions are coupled at axis 483 Line 484represents a line of separation between two portions. Respectiveportions are foldable about axes 481 and 482. The combined portionsfoldable about these axes are then foldable about axis 483.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of an apparatus utilizing amultiple-portion display. The multi-portion display may be any of thedisplays described herein, or falling within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. Apparatus 510 comprises a processor 512 and a multi-portiondisplay 520. Display 520 may be connected, via connector 518 to adisplay housing or docking station 514. Unit 514 may be connected, viaconnector 516 to processor 512. Processor 512 provides information to bedisplayed on display 520.

It should be understood that this apparatus is an example only andmyriad other configurations may be provided. For example, the processormay be directly connected to the display. Alternatively, the processormay be embedded, or otherwise incorporated into the display itself. Theprocessor may cooperate with, or be replaced by a data storage device.Any type of processor and/or memory device may be used. Any number ofprocessors and/or data storage devices may be coupled to the display andany number of displays may be coupled to the processor(s) and/or datastorage unit(s). Any of the connections may be wired or wireless. Anysuitable communication protocol(s) may be used to provide the transferof information between the various elements. Unit 514 may have anynumber of configurations. It may be a conventional docking station.However, it may also, or alternatively, serve as a housing for thedisplay. The display may be disposed entirely or partially within unit514. For example, unit 514 may serve as a housing after the display isfolded into a closed position. In the case of a flexible display, thedisplay may be rolled into unit 514 in a scroll-type fashion.

As noted, the display device(s) described herein may, in certainembodiments, be incorporated into a variety of electronic devices suchas PDAs, mobile telephones, televisions, computers, digital musicplayers, etc. In such embodiments, other features and elements may alsobe incorporated. For example, other elements may include, withoutlimitation, elements to assist a user of the device in creating,generating, or controlling display characteristics or the informationshown on the display. These elements may include, without limitation,keyboards, track wheels, pointers, buttons, levers, a stylus, etc. Theseelements may be included singularly or in multiples, and in any suitablecombination. An information controlling element such as one of these maybe provided with the device in a first configuration of the displayscreen to control displayer information. Preferably, the control elementmay also control displayed information in a second screen configuration.It should be noted that these various control elements are optionalvariations and are not required.

Other alternative configurations will be understood and appreciated, bythose of ordinary skill in the art, as falling within the scope andspirit of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable mobile device comprising: a processor;a display that is configurable into a plurality of configurations and iselectronically coupled to the processor, in which the display comprisesa plurality of portions adapted to display at least one electronicimage, and in which at least two of the portions share a first axis andare movable about the first axis; and a memory, in which the memorystores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct theprocessor to: determine whether the display has been configured into afirst configuration corresponding to a first device; generate fordisplay on at least one of the plurality of portions of the display, afirst content relating to the first device; determine whether thedisplay has been configured into a second configuration corresponding toa second device; and generate for display, on at least one of theplurality of portions of the display, a second content relating to thesecond device, in which the second content differs from the firstcontent.
 2. The foldable mobile device of claim 1, in which anelectronic image size of the first content when displayed in the firstconfiguration is different from an electronic image size of the secondcontent when displayed in the second configuration.
 3. The foldablemobile device of claim 1, in which the one or more of the plurality ofportions of the first configuration and the one or more of the pluralityof portions of the second configuration form a continuous screen.
 4. Thefoldable mobile device of claim 1, in which at least one of the portionscomprises two sides, each side adapted to display an electronic image.5. The foldable mobile device of claim 1, in which at least two of theportions share and are movable about a second axis.
 6. The foldablemobile device of claim 5, in which the plurality of portions arefoldable about their respective axes to a state in which at least oneportion sharing the second axis is at least partially disposed betweentwo of the portions sharing the first axis.
 7. The foldable mobiledevice of claim 1, in which at least one of the portions sharing thefirst axis comprises at least two parts independently movable about thefirst axis.
 8. foldable mobile device of claim 1, in which firstfunctionality of the first device is unavailable while the foldablemobile device is in the second configuration.
 9. foldable mobile deviceof claim 1, in which first functionality of the first device isavailable while the foldable mobile device is in the secondconfiguration.
 10. The foldable mobile device of claim 1, in whichdisplaying the first content is in response to determining that thefirst configuration corresponds to the first device.
 11. The foldablemobile device of claim 1, the processor to display the first content ina format dictated by a size of the display when in the firstconfiguration; and display the second content in a format dictated by asize of the display when in the second configuration.
 12. The foldablemobile device of claim 1, wherein different portions of the display mayperform different functions at the same time.
 13. The foldable mobiledevice of claim 1, in which the plurality of portions are foldable abouttheir respective axes to a state in which at least one portion sharingthe second axis is at least partially disposed between two of theportions sharing the first axis.
 14. A method for configuring a foldablemobile device that comprises a processor having an electronic output,and comprises a display that is configurable into a plurality ofconfigurations and is electronically coupled to the processor, in whichthe display comprises a plurality of portions adapted to display atleast one electronic image, and in which at least two of the portionsshare a first axis and are movable about the first axis, the methodcomprising: determining whether the display has been configured into afirst configuration corresponding to a first device; generating fordisplay on at least one of the plurality of portions of the display, afirst content relating to the first device; determining whether thedisplay has been configured into a second configuration corresponding toa second device; and generating for display, on at least one of theplurality of portions of the display, a second content relating to thesecond device, in which the second content differs from the firstcontent.
 15. The method of claim 14, in which first functionality of thefirst device is unavailable while the foldable mobile device is in thesecond configuration.
 16. The method of claim 14, in which firstfunctionality of the first device is available while the foldable mobiledevice is in the second configuration.
 17. An apparatus comprising: adisplay that is configurable into a plurality of configurations and iselectronically coupled to receive information from a processor, in whichthe display comprises a plurality of portions adapted to display anelectronic image, and in which at least two of the portions share afirst axis and are movable about the first axis; and a storage medium,in which the storage medium stores instructions which, when executed bythe processor, direct the processor to: determine whether the displayhas been configured into a first configuration corresponding to a firstdevice; generate for display on at least one of the plurality ofportions of the display, a first content relating to the first device;determine whether the display has been configured into a secondconfiguration corresponding to a second device; and generate fordisplay, on at least one of the plurality of portions of the display, asecond content relating to the second device, in which the secondcontent differs from the first content.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,in which an electronic image size of the first content when displayed inthe first configuration is different from an electronic image size ofthe second content when displayed in the second configuration.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17, in which at least two of the portions share andare movable about a second axis.